Supporters of Bangladesh's opposition parties have clashed with security forces in Dhaka ahead of the country's general election next week.

Police said two people were killed as protesters defied a ban on rallies.

The opposition is demanding that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina steps down and a neutral government is installed before the election.

The government has rejected the demand, saying the elections are a constitutional necessity.

Police fired water cannon and rubber bullets at protesters who threw stones and homemade bombs, according to reports.

Nationwide crackdown

The leader of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Khaleda Zia, had called for a march on the capital, Dhaka, in defiance of a police ban, to protest against what she calls the "farcical" election.

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Reports say hundreds of people have been arrested in recent days in a crackdown ahead of the polls